Written by
Ray Bradbury is almost in his nineties now. I've loved him since I was a youngster, and passionately at that. A few days ago, sitting at my computer, I figured since, well, people don't live forever, I'd write him a fan letter. He deserves many, many fan letters from me since I adore him so much, so I decided to start at least one, before the day comes when I can't write to him at all.
Yeah, I started it. Did not finish it, did not send it. It's sitting in my computer there waiting to be printed and mailed via regular mail because I know of Ray's aversion to the internet. So no ease of a casual email allowed.
This letter I wrote... I've been agonizing over it, because nothing I write will ever be good enough to explain to Mr. Bradbury how much I admire him. And furthermore, nothing I write will ever be good enough to have been read with the eyes of Ray Bradbury.
Ray Bradbury is a completely unique writer. His stories and works are real, true, relevant (i know that word has become cliche... ugh) and poetic. His writings are the only thing that have ever painted beautiful pictures in my mind and kept me absolutely engrossed. He's not like Stephen King, who wants to shock and gore you to death, or other authors, who want to confuse, overchallenge and word you to death. He, very simply, grabs onto your heart and fascinates you with fantastic floods of beautiful words, ideas and imagery.
Oh for goodness sakes I know I'm gushing. Please let me.
From what I've seen of him, besides just reading his books, thanks to youtube and the internet, he's an approachable, honest, funny, non-pretentious, just plain awesome guy. I love that. I love his authentic, genuine perspective. For instance, his take on modern art is that "it's all crap," and he repeatedly advises to "do what you love and love what you do" for a living. He often comments on the non-essentialness of college. Ray himself never went, but educated himself on libraries, and is, at least what it seems to me, to be one of the most genius, super-intelligent people on earth.
This man is so wonderfully prolific, having written hundreds of stories with a fresh, yet still profound idea for each. He's totally eccentric, and such a brilliant literary blessing. If he were younger I'd do everything in my power to track him down and humbly request that he marry me.
When Ray was twelve, he was endowed with eternal life, at a carnival, by a man named "Mr. Electrico." This Mr. Electrico touched Ray with an electrified sword and said, "Live forever!" Well, Mr. Bradbury has definitely had many years on this earth. And I'm sure his extraordinary stories will always take advantage of Mr. Electrico's command.